Inpatient Unit

Te Omanga’s Inpatient Unit (IPU) service is available to patients under the hospice programme who require a level of assessment and symptom control that cannot be managed at home.

If this is the case for you, our Palliative Care team may suggest admission to the Inpatient Unit so that your medications can be adjusted with a view to getting you home to familiar surroundings as soon as possible.

You may also find that you are transferred to our Inpatient Unit from hospital as part of a plan for assessment before going home.

Te Omanga’s Inpatient Unit is staffed by Registered Nurses, Health Care Assistants and volunteers. In the IPU you will receive 24 hour nursing care and will be seen by a Doctor on a daily basis. Family are often allowed to stay over but this has to be checked out with staff first.

As an inpatient you will have access to:

Our beautiful tranquil grounds

Our quiet room where you can spend time in prayer, meditation or quiet reflection

Day Group once a week

Recreational therapeutic activities

A chance to connect with the Family Support team while you are here

Unrestricted visiting hours

Delicious cuisine cooked on site

The lounge, family room and kitchenette

We are not able to undertake long term residential care at our Inpatient Unit. We know from experience that visits from our Community Palliative Care team, our 24 hour nursing and medical cover, and arranging intermittent respite care in the most appropriate facility when necessary, enables families to cope. As a result, most patients are able to remain in their familiar surroundings.

Sometimes however, families do face difficulties coping or you may not have anyone at home to care for you. In these circumstances, if your condition is stable, we will assist in making arrangements for continuing care in a residential facility.

If you do find yourself in this situation, your options will be thoroughly discussed with you and your family prior to any placement. Be assured – the Te Omanga Hospice team will continue to care for you as though you were in your own home.

If you have been accepted on our hospice programme you are most welcome to come and have a look at the Inpatient Unit. Our friendly staff will be happy to take you through. We also welcome feedback. At Te Omanga, we are always looking for ways to improve our service to you and your family.

List of things someone brings into the IPU:

Day and night clothes (please label as we are unable to take responsibility for unnamed clothing)

Toiletries

All medications

Anything that will make the patient more comfortable whilst in the IPU, such as: